Eighty-five percent of men will experience significant hair thinning, or male pattern baldness to some extent, once they reach the age of 50. Male pattern baldness, to put it simply, is hair loss in males. Also called androgenetic alopecia, it is the most common type of hair loss that affects men.
According to the American Hair Loss Association, two-thirds of men begin to see hair changes by the age of 35. However, some men show the first signs of hair loss as early as age 25. In the United States alone, 35 million men are affected by male pattern baldness.
Many men experience a great deal of shame about losing their head of hair. The problem is indiscriminate, as it affects men the world over regardless of education, race, social class, or ethnicity. However, many advances have been made in the medical practice of hair restoration, so there is hope for men with male pattern baldness.
Causes of Male Pattern Baldness
Male sex hormones cause male pattern baldness. To break it down: “andro” is for the androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone), which regulate hair growth; “genetic” refers to the inherited genes that make male pattern baldness possible. The condition is inherited from the male’s mother, father, or both.
Sometimes, inherited male pattern baldness is caused by serious illnesses such as cancers and thyroid conditions. It’s also a possible side effect of medications or steroids. A board-certified hair restoration physician, through various tests and the examination of your family history and lifestyle, can find out what’s causing your hair loss.
How It Happens
Each hair on your scalp has a growth cycle. However, in the case of male pattern baldness, the growth cycle weakens and the hair follicle shrinks. The resulting hairs that grow are shorter and finer. It comes to a point where the growth cycle for each hair strand stops, and new hair stops growing in.
You can do a simple self-test at home in front of a mirror to help determine if you have male pattern baldness. If you see that you’re losing your hair, and that it begins at the temples or the crown of your head, then it probably is male pattern baldness. Likewise, if you have bald spots or if your hairline recedes to form the letter M, then it’s most likely male pattern baldness.
Treatments for Male Pattern Baldness
You don’t have to live with thinning hair or a balding head. There are many advances in hair loss treatment today, including those offered by Northwest Hair Restoration – both surgical and nonsurgical. If you are a candidate for surgical treatment, your doctor might do hair transplant surgery, or FUE or FUT hair transplant.
Expert Hair Restoration Options in Washington
Hair transplant surgeon Dr. Robert Niedbalski and his professional medical team at Northwest Hair Restoration offer you the most innovative solutions and treatment for male pattern baldness. Our goal is to help restore your hair and scalp to a healthy state so that you become more confident in your appearance. You can trust that we are up to date on the latest in hair loss research and treatment.
To make an appointment at one of our locations in Tacoma, Seattle, or Spokane, Washington, call (253) 572-2949 or request an appointment online.
